The European Union is postponing the signing of a free trade deal with four Mercosur countries until January, an EU official said on Thursday.
The agreement between the EU and Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay, which has been in the making for over 25 years, was scheduled to be signed at a summit in Brazil on Saturday.
The controversial free trade deal is intended to boost trade between the economic blocs, but is viewed critically by some major EU countries including France, Poland and Italy.
Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni, however, said that her government would be ready to back to deal as soon as the European Commission delivers more reassurances to farmers.
Italy's support is required to reach the necessary majority of at least 15 of the EU's 27 states, representing 65% of the bloc's population, backing the deal and to pave the way for its signing.
LATEST POSTS
- 1
The hunt for dark matter: a trivia quiz - 2People are getting their news from AI – and it’s altering their views
- 3PHOTO ESSAY: Summer camp for kids with autoimmune diseases
- 4I served on the expert committee that advised the government on new dietary guidelines – most of our recommendations were ignored
- 54 astronauts are en route home from ISS after medical issue forces early exit
- Golan resident convicted of spying for Iran after passing tank movement, missile-impact data
- Which game do you cherish observing live? Vote!
- Telescope in Chile captures stunning new picture of a cosmic butterfly
- 6 Famous Urban communities for Shopping on the planet
- Muslim nations condemn new Israeli death penalty law
- Mont Blanc road tunnel reopens to traffic after 15 weeks of repairs
- Parents who delay baby's first vaccines also likely to skip measles shots
- How many ships have been attacked in the Gulf since start of Iran war?
- Dozens injured in Russia after train crashes, overturns
